The trend estimate of the total value of building work commenced fell 11.6% in the March quarter 2009.

The value of new residential building commenced fell 10.3%. New house commencements fell 7.3% and new other residential commencements fell 14.6%. The value of commencements for alterations and additions to residential buildings fell 3.3%. The value of non-residential building fell by 12.4%.

Value of Work Commenced in Volume Terms, Trend

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED

In seasonally adjusted terms, the estimate of the total value of building work commenced in the March quarter fell 14.7% following a fall of 10.8% in December.

Commencements of new residential buildings fell 6.3% to $7,137.1m. New house commencements fell 5.1%, to $5,104.8m, while new other residential building fell 9.1% to $2,032.3m. Alterations and additions fell 2.9% to $1,376.8m. Non-residential work commenced fell 25.9% to $5,407.0m.